Help Your Minor Be Successful on Set

Babies from 15 days old to teenagers 17 years old can work in movies, TV shows and many other productions as background actors and doubles. From putting their looks together to helping them act professionally, there's a lot to know about working with minors on set.

If your minor is not signed up yet, sign them up today so they can become eligible to be cast in productions.

Know your child's booking details

When your minor is booked, the casting director or production company will send their booking information as a details message, which may include a link to a Booking Details page or other resource. This message will have all the information you need to get your minor ready for set, including their initial call time, call location, wardrobe instructions, category type, etc.

Please respond to this message as soon as you receive it. Keep in mind that casting directors and production companies receive booking information from multiple departments; it's likely you will not receive your child's details until later in the evening before their workday.

It's extremely important to show up to set on time. Your child's details will include an initial call time, but call times can, and often will, change. The details message will include instructions on how to receive your minor's call time changes. Be sure to check for any updates before leaving for set.

Understand guardian requirements

Minors must be accompanied to set by a parent or guardian who is not also working on the production. Some productions may require a guardian who is at least 21 years old; check with the casting director who booked your minor to see if your production has a guardian age requirement.

During filming, the guardian will be somewhere behind the scenes, but always within eyesight of the child and will accompany them around set throughout their workday.

Know what to bring

When your minor is not filming, you both will be in Holding. You can bring entertainment for your child while in Holding, but please use headphones if playing audio and be respectful not to disturb production and those around you.

If your child is required to attend school on set, they will work with a studio teacher separate from the parent/guardian and be provided documentation to show their school. Depending on your call time and whether school is in session, your minor may attend their own school first, then will report to set only for work. You may need to bring homework, your minor's work permit, or other materials listed in your details with you to set.

Help them be professional

We know working on movies and TV shows is exciting, but please help your child understand that while being on set is fun, it's also a work environment. There are strict laws governing how long children can work and production is trying to get their scenes filmed while managing the limitations on their minor background actors and any principal minors in the scene. Please help your child remain focused and professional during their workday.